[News] 2014 Ravens Free Agency Rumor Mill

[bioLarzen]

I can't help but think that Steve Smith is the prototypical Raven. It makes a lot of sense to go after him for the right price.

 

He is the prototypical high risk-high reward type of deal. His talent and ability to deliver is not a question - he's proven that. but he's also proven that his ego just gets the better of him at times - and that can be a two-edged sword.

 

All in all, I guess he could be a good addition. Something tells me the Pats are gonna reach out for him too though. High risk-high reward type players are their speciality (Haynesworth, Stallworth, Ochocinco, Talib, Amendola, Blunt... to name but a few).

[purplejay91]

Steve Smith is a smaller,nastier version of Anquan, we need that bully mentality back in this team, something we lost when 52,20, Boldin,Pollard,Leach,Redding left/got cut.

[Ravens07]

Corey Graham is gone? I guess that was sort of expected.

[DynastyofBaltimore]

The draft is apparently decently deep at the CB position this year as well. Having some fresh legs at CB and FS won't hurt huh? As long as we take care of this WR, TE, RT, C, DL, ILB problem lol not too much. Go Ozzie!

[reed20fence]

You get the feeling our FO thinks we had the skilled players to make the playoffs and compete last year if only the line could buy Joe some time. That's not to say they won't pounce if a WR or TE or one-cut RB is available that fits Kubiak, but how good can this line be if healthy?

Munroe-Osemele-Mack-Yanda-future Raven

[Ravens07]

I know a lot of Ravens fans dislike Michael Oher, but he has been a solid player for us at RT. He has had some great games. In 2011, Pro Football Focus ranked his performance against the Cardinals the best of any tackle the whole year. I wouldn't rule out him coming back, especially as the market quiets.

[Ravens07]

Alex Mack would demand at least a $7 million per year contract. We were paying Matt Birk $925,000 during our Super Bowl year. Right player, right price.

[Amesr52]

Alex Mack would demand at least a $7 million per year contract. We were paying Matt Birk $925,000 during our Super Bowl year. Right player, right price.

 

Birk was also 32yrs old when he came to baltimore and had already spent 12 years with the Vikings.  He wasnt the best center in the league anymore and bc of his age he couldnt demand the type of money Mack can.  But Mack could be a potential probowler for years to come and possibly be extended like the ravens do with a lot of there players.  Its one less position to worry about for years.  We saw how bad the communication was this past season because we had an unproven guy calling the protection at the line.  Yanda even had to tell him when to snap half the time.  We need an overhaul of the line and we have the money and FO that can make it work without putting us in debt.  I think the Ravens will get him if they go after him aggressively like they have in the past with certain players.

[CapoRocky]

You get the feeling our FO thinks we had the skilled players to make the playoffs and compete last year if only the line could buy Joe some time. That's not to say they won't pounce if a WR or TE or one-cut RB is available that fits Kubiak, but how good can this line be if healthy?

Munroe-Osemele-Mack-Yanda-future Raven

 

Let's just hope Ose holds up after his injury last year.  I'd slide him over to RT and go with Gino at guard.  Another option would be to have Ryan Jensen at C and Rick Wagner at RT.  It all depends on whether or not we get a veteran center.  I really don't think we will get Mack, but it would be awesome if we did.

[CapoRocky]

I know a lot of Ravens fans dislike Michael Oher, but he has been a solid player for us at RT. He has had some great games. In 2011, Pro Football Focus ranked his performance against the Cardinals the best of any tackle the whole year. I wouldn't rule out him coming back, especially as the market quiets.

 

I don't think Oher has had any offers yet, so anything is possible.  The best thing about having him back is that he already knows the playbook and can adjust to any new blocking scheme.  No, he hasn't been all that bad, but he was a disappointment considering that we wanted him to be the amazing first round pick that we thought he was and that's all part of our mindset when we say that we'd rather have someone better in there.

[xxDarby]

I know a lot of Ravens fans dislike Michael Oher, but he has been a solid player for us at RT. He has had some great games. In 2011, Pro Football Focus ranked his performance against the Cardinals the best of any tackle the whole year. I wouldn't rule out him coming back, especially as the market quiets.

Dude Oher sucks...he was ranked as one of the worst right tackles in the league (some of it ain't his fault because Gino pretty much messed everyone up) its time to move on and whether it be Wagner,Winston, or a draft pick Oher has overstayed his welcome and for the most part has been a first round bust

[xxDarby]

Let's just hope Ose holds up after his injury last year.  I'd slide him over to RT and go with Gino at guard.  Another option would be to have Ryan Jensen at C and Rick Wagner at RT.  It all depends on whether or not we get a veteran center.  I really don't think we will get Mack, but it would be awesome if we did.

I doubt we have Gino starting especially out of position when he sucked in his original position i think Jensen can start in the future just not right now he needs to be groomed for a while and same with Ricky but i'd be okay with him starting...i think he had a first round grade on him at one point but idk why he slipped to the 5th

[r7o2d6]

I don't think Oher has had any offers yet, so anything is possible.  The best thing about having him back is that he already knows the playbook and can adjust to any new blocking scheme.  No, he hasn't been all that bad, but he was a disappointment considering that we wanted him to be the amazing first round pick that we thought he was and that's all part of our mindset when we say that we'd rather have someone better in there.

The round he was taken in isn't really the issue. It's the 24 total career false starts, typically, in moments were pressure is on, moments that could have cost the team a win. He did better last year. But he isn't THAT good of a RT.  You don't want anyone on the team that is a liability, and he is. 

[ravens_4life]

ravens are bottom feeders. everybody is getting signed and they are just doing nothing. try to go after a washed up 35 year old steve smith. unreal. what happened to this ravens are going on a spree. once again there getting left overs. that's what ravens do right.

[BirdWatcher]

The round he was taken in isn't really the issue. It's the 24 total career false starts, typically, in moments were pressure is on, moments that could have cost the team a win. He did better last year. But he isn't THAT good of a RT.  You don't want anyone on the team that is a liability, and he is.

You need to review WHEN those false starts were since most of them were in his first two years. He has much improved. ALL of his false starts last year came in the same game, so that was possibly an officiating issue. He's a quality, durable tackle who does whatever is asked of him. We could do a lot worse.

[ReginaldColeman1]

Assuming for a moment they don't lavish cap $ on any name WR I wonder about FS. An over achieving middle grade on the cheap if there is one. In the draft there are a few with solid credentials and hard work ethics starting with Deone Bucannon and Jimmie Ward, Craig Loston and Dixon. I don't see how the Ravens can pass over a tackle and WR in rounds one and two. It's just the order depending on availability. Could fall into a TE instead but playing for Monroe while watching carefully how the market played out before Tuesday leaves Ozzie in the cat bird seat. He may not sweep but he can probably pick up four potential starters for the next five years. Bring on Denver.

[Dwayne Watts]

Daniels has officially been released, but at the moment, the Panthers are shopping for a trade partner for Smith. Now, if they don't find one, they may end up releasing him, but that's not official yet.

 

I think Daniels is a very likely target - given his history with Kubiak and since (I believe) he's considered a better run-blocking option than Pitta. 

 

Smith would be an intriguing possibility ... depends on the money he'd command. I think the FO wants us to get young at that position, but we've got a lot of either open or dead slots on the WR corps and I think a guy like Smith could fit in and we could still be looking at a high draft pick for the position to work in over time. 

Steve Smith WILL BE RELEASED TODAY. So, let's get ready to welcome him. Age was my concern about him as well. But, all else outweighs that knock. I think it'll work just fine.  Agreed, Daniels is a better option. But, he's not more beloved. And, beloved by the right person (Joe Flacco). I could see us not getting him as well as getting (could go either way). Go Ravens!!! :-)

[axisofeeble]

Mack would be a big plus......but who plays right tackle? Who plays LG if Ossie isn't healthy? Incognito might come cheap and Raven football would accept his toughness with all his flaws. Joe needs an O-line coached to protect his passing ability and a run game that sets up Joe's skills. Smash mouth O-line instead of the zone,stretch,slide,ballet of Castillo's dream............but Kubiak is a stretch run OC so I fear Joe is in for another rough year. The o-line is the key this year and I fear we are stuck in a nightmare "zone" with no way out.

[ryananth]

How about this front line next year? Monroe-LT, KO-LG, Mack-C, Yanda-RG and Oher-RT. Would be one of the youngest and nastiest front five in the league and we've got the money to do it and still fill other needs!!

[bioLarzen]

ravens are bottom feeders. everybody is getting signed and they are just doing nothing. try to go after a washed up 35 year old steve smith. unreal. what happened to this ravens are going on a spree. once again there getting left overs. that's what ravens do right.

 

You're absolutely right! The whole FO should be fired and humiliated! And we should get every single UFA in the first day of free agency!

 

Man... This has been the busiest start of free agency for the Ravens in a very long while... But you're right, they're doing nothing!

[Ravens07]

Oz will find another Daryl Smith, Jim Leonard, Corey Graham, etc. Signing smaller-name gems can pay off as much as signing a big-name player, and at a much lower cost. Right player, right price.

[DeeUSMC]

Why are chasing this older WR and they're young ones out there? Unless he comes at deal.

[BrianRandolph011]

Gronk.

Gronk is getting sub 5 mill a year until 2017 which he can could be released at that point if his performance or health slacks off w/o a cap hit.. I'd say thats not breaking the bank for a top 3 TE in the league when healthy..

[BrianRandolph011]

Steve Smith to answer the second half of your statement. 

Steve Smith is 35 years old. Edelman 27.. Smith had 2 big injuries last year.. Edelman had 0.. Steve Smith was on the Panthers and up and coming super bowl contending team.. Why are they releasing him if he means so much?.. Because he doesnt.

[trevorsteadman]

Steve Smith is 35 years old. Edelman 27.. Smith had 2 big injuries last year.. Edelman had 0.. Steve Smith was on the Panthers and up and coming super bowl contending team.. Why are they releasing him if he means so much?.. Because he doesnt.

He has proven he can still play.... Plus Edelman will probably get a lot more money than Smith which the Ravens cannot afford when they need to sign Daryl Smith and possibly a C, RT, or FS 

[Stephenjr]

Some of the comments I see on these boards makes me wonder if there is common sense in the world. Lol

[BrianRandolph011]

He has proven he can still play.... Plus Edelman will probably get a lot more money than Smith which the Ravens cannot afford when they need to sign Daryl Smith and possibly a C, RT, or FS 

Of course he would get more money , he can play longer.. that only makes sense.. hes almost 10 years younger my friend. Lol.. and I hate to say it but Daryl Smith will probably not be a Raven next year.. Broncos have showed interest and at his age and experience playing for non playoff teams (including us).. Denver may appeal more to him as far as reaching the playoffs and possibly even a Super Bowl before he has to hang up the cleats.. Jon Elway is not messing around this off season. He knows he has 2 more years 3 at the most with the greatest QB ever, he's doing all he can to make sure he puts the team around him to win and win now!

[bioLarzen]

Steve Smith is 35 years old. Edelman 27.. Smith had 2 big injuries last year.. Edelman had 0.. Steve Smith was on the Panthers and up and coming super bowl contending team.. Why are they releasing him if he means so much?.. Because he doesnt.

 

Edelman had one good season so far... Even Lee Evans had more - and we all know how that panned out...

[bioLarzen]

Why are chasing this older WR and they're young ones out there? Unless he comes at deal.

 

Maybe because the older one is better?

[BrianRandolph011]

Edelman had one good season so far... Even Lee Evans had more - and we all know how that panned out...

Bottom line Edelman is a playmaker.. Their is a reason Ozzie and Harbaugh and the FO have interest in him.. they are responsible for putting the players on the field to win ball games.. you tellin me you dont trust them?